What Is Absinthe?
March 5th is National Absinthe Day, the perfect time to explore the mysterious history of this legendary drink—and its connection to vampires.
Also known as La Fée Verte (The Green Fairy), absinthe has been both celebrated and feared for centuries. This anise-flavored spirit is distilled with wormwood, fennel, and anise, creating a distinctively bitter taste with a faint licorice aroma. Its signature green hue comes from the chlorophyll of added herbs, adding to its ethereal mystique.
Absinthe has long been associated with creativity, decadence, and the macabre—making it a fitting drink for creatures of the night.
Where Did Absinthe Come From?
Absinthe originated in 18th-century Switzerland, initially used as a medicinal remedy before evolving into one of the most popular drinks in 19th-century France. The Greek physician Hippocrates prescribed wormwood-infused elixirs for ailments like jaundice and anemia. The drink’s name comes from Artemisia absinthium, the scientific name for wormwood.
By the late 1800s, absinthe became a favorite among artists, writers, and bohemians—and soon gained a reputation for being both dangerous and intoxicatingly inspiring.
Does Wormwood Make You Hallucinate?
Not quite. Despite its infamous reputation, absinthe does not cause hallucinations. The myth comes from the fact that wormwood contains thujone, a compound once believed to have psychoactive effects.
The origins of this rumor trace back to 19th-century psychiatrist Valentin Magnan, who tested highly concentrated wormwood oil on dogs. One unfortunate pup barked at a wall for half an hour, leading to exaggerated fears about absinthe’s supposed mind-altering properties.
In reality, the real reason absinthe had such a dramatic effect on drinkers? Its high alcohol content—ranging from 45% to 74%.
Absinthe: The Forbidden Drink
By the early 1900s, absinthe was banned in multiple countries, including the United States (1912) and Switzerland (1910). The drink was blamed for violent crimes, madness, and even murder—adding to its dark and seductive legend.
It wasn’t until 2007 that absinthe was once again legalized in the U.S., bringing the Green Fairy back into the spotlight.
Absinthe & Vampires: A Perfect Pairing
Lestat vs. The Green Fairy
In Interview with the Vampire, Claudia cleverly weakens Lestat by tricking him into drinking from two absinthe-drunk victims, rendering him vulnerable. Louis himself enjoys a glass of absinthe just before his transformation—perhaps preparing for his eternal thirst.
Dracula’s Drink of Choice
In Francis Ford Coppola’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992), Count Dracula serves Mina absinthe, seducing her with its intoxicating properties.
“Absinthe is the aphrodisiac of the soul. The Green Fairy who lives in the absinthe wants your soul, but you are safe with me.”
Dracula knows the power of absinthe—it lowers inhibitions, opens the mind to the surreal, and invites darkness. A drink fit for a vampire.
How to Drink Absinthe Like a Vampire
The Traditional French Method
For a proper absinthe ritual, you’ll need:
- Absinthe glass
- Absinthe spoon (a slotted spoon designed for this process)
- Sugar cube
- Ice-cold water
- Pour absinthe into a glass.
- Place a sugar cube on the absinthe spoon over the glass.
- Slowly drip cold water over the sugar cube until it dissolves.
- Watch as the louche effect turns the liquid a cloudy green.
- Stir and enjoy—preferably by candlelight.
Easy Absinthe Drip Method
No absinthe spoon? No problem. Try this:
- Fill a glass halfway with crushed ice.
- Pour 1 ounce of absinthe over the ice.
- Add a sugar cube and slowly mix in soda water or your liquor of choice.
- Stir, strain into a cocktail glass, and enjoy.
Vampire-Approved Absinthe Cocktail: The Sazerac
A classic New Orleans absinthe cocktail, perfect for those with a taste for the macabre.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz cognac
- Absinthe, to rinse
- ½ oz simple syrup
- 3 dashes Peychaud’s bitters
- Lemon peel, for garnish
Instructions:
- Rinse an old-fashioned glass with absinthe.
- Fill the glass with crushed ice.
- In a separate glass, stir the remaining ingredients with ice.
- Discard excess absinthe and ice from the first glass.
- Strain the cocktail into the prepared glass.
- Garnish with a lemon peel.
Sip it slowly, and if you see the Green Fairy—give her a nod. She’s a friend of Dracula… and yours.